Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have two desert tortoises approximately two years in age. Shell length is approx 3 1/2 inches. They are inside now in a large aqauriem tank, but I think they are just about ready to go outside. I have a brick enclosed flower bed with dirt, but I need to know how to keep the ants, spiders and bugs out of the enclosure, but without harming the tortoises. I have laid some ant/insect granuels and stirred up the dirt. I am going to wait about two weeks before re-cleaning it out. When I lay new dirt, what should I use to keep the pest infestation down to a safe level? Please help, this is very important. The tortoises will have their encolsure protected from birds, I just need help with the bugs. Any and all responses will be appreciated. Thanks
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~Laura

Rejoice, the age of the fall has begun
We'll dance as the palaces burn.
--Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn

I live in the Midwest (Missouri), so the bugs and ants I encounter are probably very different from yours, but here's my take on it.

I don't worry about spiders, beetles, etc. They show no interest in my torts, none are large enough or venemous enough to cause a problem, and it would be a major hassle to keep them away. I do see crickets and spiders from time to time, and I know there are various beetles and slugs under the logs, rocks or water bowl.

There are ants in the enclosure too. They are tiny and they never appear to crawl on the tortoises (Russians). But they will swarm on any fruits, melon or tortoise pellets I leave in the pen. The tortoises are not bothered by it. To keep the ants to a minimum I don't feed fruits/melons/pellets very often, remove the leftovers quickly, and shift the rocks and logs in the pen around so ant colonies cannot become established beneath them. Ants show little or no interest in leafy greens and weeds. Also last winter I removed a rock from over an established colony and dug the colony up. I think the exposure killed it off.

I don't want to use any chemicals in or around my outdoor pen since the torts eat the plants the grow there. I think some people use diatomaceous earth www.gardenharvestsupply.com/de_permaguard.aspx to control bugs, and it might be safe, but I see no reason to take the chance when the bugs present little or no threat in my situation. Your situation may be different.